Optimizing linseed yield potential through morpho-phenological trait alignment using KNO₃, humic acid, and sulphur under irrigation scheduling

Linseed is a dual-purpose crop valued for its flax, oil, and rich content of dietary fiber, protein, and Omega-3 fatty acids, with significant demand in industries like paint and medicine. Optimizing morphological and phenological growth through effective irrigation scheduling, along with seed priming using KNO₃, humic acid, and sulphur, is essential for enhancing yield potential, especially under water scarcity. Therefore, this study was conducted at the Research Farm of Lovely Professional University during the Rabi season of 2022-23 and 2023-24. To achieve the goal a comprehensive approach was used to align the morpho-phenological traits of linseed mediated by irrigation schedule, seed priming with potassium nitrate, humic acid as a foliar, and sulphur as a soil amendment. Combinations of these treatments were arranged in a Split Plot Design and replicated thrice with one variety of LC 2063. Results obtained from the study indicated that the application of potassium nitrate and humic acid with two irrigations at critical stages was recorded as statistically significant (p=0.05) for the plant height (73.3and 76.6 cm), fresh weight (24 and 25.3 g/plant), dry matter accumulation (6.3 and 6.7 g/plant), leaf area (298 and 316 cm2 /plant), leaf area index (0.66 and 0.75), crop growth rate (119 and 123 mg/m2 /day), relative growth rate (0.063 and 0.056 g/g /day) net assimilation rate (329 and 259 g/m2/day at 90 DAS), test weight (6.9 and 7.5 g) grain yield (12.5 and 13.3 q/ha) and total chlorophyll content (3.1 and 3.0 mg/g at 45 DAS). Overall, this study confirmed the significance of the treatment combination in aligning the morpho-physiological traits and enhancing the partitioning of carbohydrates thus test weight and grain yield improved which underscores a positive sign of yield potential.